Jackson has a few spots of something that I think looks like hives. He has two on his belly and one on his back as well as a little one on his face. They start out just as a red blotch and then get kind of rough and a tad bit raised.

Does it sounds like hives?? I have seen excemea and don't think it looks like that. I am thinking we have some more allergies going on.

I am going to call his pedi tomorrow just wondering if anyone could help me out :wink: .

Thanks!

I believe that hives are more in a bigger pattern, but I'm not sure. HOpefully someone will be able to help you out.:wink:

It kind of sounds like Excema to me. I thought hives were more like raised welts or bumps where Excema is more patchy and scaly. I could be wrong though. Hope you figure out what it is.

Yeah I think you might be right Emily. Hmm maybe it could be excema :dontknow:....I forgot to say too it has little whiteish tiny pimple like dots on it lol I don't know how to describe it :smt047

Thanks

Hives are generally large (versus little spots), red, flat and raised. They are not dry and scaly like eczema.

Kim,
It is kind a rough and scaly.......what causes excema and what do they do for it?? I saw you had a post about excema....I better go read it ;)

It sounds more like eczema...

Here's a good site about rashes.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t082900.asp

Let us know what the ped says.:hello2:

I'm not really sure myself what causes it except for having very sensitive skin. Usually they just have you apply cream to it, Aquafor Eucecrin (sp?) or Cortizone which has 1% Hydracortizone in it. There are also prescription creams for really bad cases.

Sounds like eczema to me too...I hope you get it all figured out and are able to get him in:)

I agree. It sounds like eczema. We use Lubriderm Sensitive Skin lotion on Cady, along with 1% hydrocortisone cream whenever her eczema flares.

Hives are kindof puffy and raised...not rough or scaley though...and itch like the dickens!!!
I agree w/the ladies it does sound a bit like eczema.

I actually did up a hives sticky and put in in the asthma forum. I should move it to allergies.... I am going to move this thread to allergies as others with experiences can post from there even though you already have some great advice!



Here is the cut and paste of the sticky:


I got this information sheet from my ped allergist and will share it here.


Commonly known as hives, urticaria has two forms: most cases are acute (lasting from a few hours to less than six weeks); some are chronic (lasting more than six weeks). The welts may appear in one place, disappear after a short time, then erupt at another spot, then another. They are made worse by scratching. Each individual hive lasts no more than 24 hours.

What kind of things can trigger attacks of urticaria?

Bouts of urticaria have been traced to such triggers as certain foods and additives, infections, drugs (including aspirin), cold, sun exposure, insect stings, alcohol, exercise, endocrine disorders, and emotional stress. In some people, pressure casued by belts and constricting clothing causes eruption. Urticaria may be a response to infection including the common cold, strep throat and infectious mononucleosis.
In the urticaria-prone person, these triggers cause the body to release chemical mediators, including histamine, vrom cells. Histamine (which causes itchy, runny noses and watery eyes in hayfever sufferers) dilates the walls of blood vessels, allowing fluids to leak out into the surrounding tissues. Swelling and itching are the result.

How are each person's urticaria "triggers" identified?

In some cases, the trigger is obvious- a person eats strawberries or shrimp, then develops urticaria within a short time. But because there are so many possible causes for urticaria, other cases require determined detective work on the part of the physician and sometimes, forbearance on the part of the patient.
To unravel the urticaria puzzle, your allergist will take a detailed history, looking for clues in your lifestyle that will help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. You'll be asked about the frequency and severity of your symptoms...your family's medical history...medications you are taking...your work and home environment...and miscellaneous matters. In some cases you may require tests to analyze blood and urine, and other procedures such as x-rays. Although skin tests are not routinely performed they may provide useful information in some cases. Your allergist will decide which tests to order based on the different types of urticaria and the suspected cause.

What are the different types of urticaria?

They can be classified into two categories: Immunologic and Non-Immunolgic.
Allergic or Immunologic Urticaria is the least common form. It is caused by the immune system's overreaction to foods, drugs, infection, insect stings, blood transfusions, or other substances. Foods such as eggs, nuts, and shellfish, and drugs such as penicillin and sulfa are common causes of allergic or immunologic urticaria.

Non-Immunologic Urticaria are those types of urticaria where a clear-cut allergic basis can not be proven. These take many forms. Dermographism is urticaria that develops when the skin is stroked with a firm object. Cold induced urticaria appears after a person is exposed to low temperatures-for example after a plunge into a swimming pool or when an ice cube is placed against the skin. Cholinergic urticaria which is associated with exercise, hot showers and/or anxiety, is a form of hives that is related to release of certain chemicals from parts of the nervous system that conrol such body functions as blood pressure and heart rate. Pressure urticaria develops from the constant pressure of constricting clothing such as sock bands, bra straps, belts or other tight clothing. Solar urticaria arises on parts of the body exposed to the sun; this may occur within a few minutes after exposure. Some cases of non-immunologic urticaria may be caused by non-allergic reactions to aspirin and possibly, certain food dyes, sulfites, and other food additives. In many cases, particularly in chronic urticaria, the trigger for the problem can't be found; in this instance it is called Idiopathic Urticaria.


How is Urticiaria Treated?

Your allergist first will alleviate the discomfort with medications; for example, antihistimines. Severe attacks of urticaria can be temporarily relieved by injections of epinephrine; rarely in these cases corticosteroids may be prescribed for a short period. Other drugs may be required for specific types of urticaria.
Of course, if the cause can be identified, the best course of treatment is avoidence of the substance that triggers urticaria. If a problem with a specific food is strongly suspected, then it should be avoided. This may require a careful reading of packaged food labels and inquiry about ingredients in restaurant meals. Persons with solar urticaria should wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen lotions when outdoors. Loose-fitting clothing will help relieve pressure urticaria. Avoid harsh soaps and frequent bathing to reduce the problem of dry skin, which can cause itching and scratching that can aggravate urticaria. Vigorous toweling after a bath may precipitate hives. Although success of identifying the cause of chronic urticaria varies from clinic to clinic according to patient populations, it is usually no higher than 20% of cases. It may last for months or for years and burn itself out, never to bother the sufferer again. If you have any more questions, your allergist will be happy to answer them.


This sheet is called "Advice from ACAI" (American College of Allergy and Immunology)
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Leigh:yahoo: :donut: :ird: :smt024 :38: